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Framing

Is there anything more important to building a house that lasts than framing it correctly? Ask any framer and they will tell you that, no, nothing sets the tone for a new house or an addition more emphatically than the quality of the frame. The guys that do the foundation might have grounds to disagree, but the reality is that no well-built house ever springs from a poorly executed frame. Just building a backyard garden shed? Same rules still apply.

Frames in residential construction are almost always made from wood. Whether the house is panelized, modular, or site-built, the frame is likely to be fabricated from softwood. And most houses are built on site, assembled one stud, joist and rafter at a time. The list of skills a framer needs to accomplish this isn’t short, and by the time the framers get to the roof and begin cutting compound angles in pieces of dimensional stock the ante has gone up considerably. House plans and floor plans will be drawn up by others, but the quality of the finished house is a function of the hundreds of individual connections and thousands of fasteners under the purview of the framing crew.

New materials, and more sophisticated tools, are creeping in. Engineered lumber is becoming an increasingly important component in many new homes, not only in the I-joists that many builders already use for floor joists, but also in engineered studs, headers and beams. Framers are finding more uses for light-gauge steel. Green builders are mastering techniques that make houses more energy efficient — better ways of framing corners and headers, for example, or building houses with double stud walls.

So if the craft of framing houses in many ways looks just like it did a century ago, it’s not. Want to keep up? Hang out with the pro framers who write for Fine Homebuilding.

  • Anneke Dunnington, Carpenter

    This teacher-turned-carpenter found her true calling through building and raising her timber-frame home.

  • Tall Deck on a Sloped Lot

    When deck posts exceed what the prescriptive code tables allow, it's time to consult a structural engineer for post sizing and possible bracing.

  • One-Person Precision

    The LA 180L long-range laser level makes it efficient and easy to square a foundation or mudsill.

  • Precut Bottom Plates in Doorways

    Avoid damaging the floor by cutting part of the rough opening before standing and securing the wall.

  • Fast, Accurate Wall Framing

    A rear addition provides a small-scale example of how to frame efficiently.

  • Step Up Your Stair-Gauge Game

    The longer length of these 3-in. stair gauges makes it easier to ensure an accurate layout when working with waned lumber.

  • Better Plumb Cuts on Hips or Valleys

    Make cleaner, more accurate plumb cuts by adjusting your saw depth for better stability on the second pass.

  • Deck Details for Durability

    Freestanding with boxed stairs, this small deck is full of ideas for a long-lasting entry that will look great for years to come.

  • Podcast Episode 662: Roof Venting, Roof Leaks, and High-Performance Framing

    Listeners write in about haunted pipes and building-science tomes, and they ask questions about roof venting and roof leaks.

  • FHB Podcast Segment: A Double Roof Discussion

    The FHB Podcast crew takes a closer look at an interesting roof.

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Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

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